Entering the care system can be a daunting experience for children, often marked by upheaval, confusion, and loss. In Wales there are more than 7,000 children in care. Many of the children arrive at foster homes with their belongings hastily packed in bin liners, leading to feelings of worthlessness and neglect. This harsh reality is captured in the words of a care graduate who expressed, “I felt like rubbish,” underscoring the emotional trauma these young individuals endure during a vulnerable period of their lives.
Heirs is an organisation founded to address this crisis, with a mission to instil dignity and value in the lives of children entering care. Their “love in a bag” programme provides essential supplies in a backpack. Each bag is filled with toiletries, water bottles, storybooks, fidget toys, and comfort items such as teddies or blankets. They also support children emotionally, offering affirmation cards with uplifting phrases to inspire hope.
Operating primarily in Carmarthenshire, they receive referrals from social workers and other professionals working with children across Wales, and also work with police stations, where children who are removed from their parents often spend a long time.
The difference Heirs makes in the lives of children is profound. Testimonials from care professionals reveal that the simple act of receiving a new backpack has transformed children’s feelings of abandonment into feelings of worth and love. Children have expressed emotional gratitude upon receiving their bags, demonstrating how a small gesture can provide hope and resilience.
With 162 backpacks distributed to date, Heirs has not only provided immediate relief in emergency situations but also created an atmosphere of care and consideration for those most vulnerable.
Funds from the John Good Group will help ensure the sustainability and growth of Heirs by supporting supply of backpacks, and core costs. Each backpack costs just £40, and they would also like to hire an additional part-time staff member to manage operations. As an extremely small, new project, this grant will make a huge impact on their ability to ensure that every child in Wales has a brighter future.
We are thrilled to be shortlisted! Without funders like you, children will continue to enter care with things in bin liners, will continue to sit in Police Stations alone and unconsidered; they will continue to experience these harrowing moments and endure a lack of love and support which ultimately lead to Care Leavers making up a quarter of our homeless and prison populations.
But with your help, we can end this cycle.
We can give dignity, show love and place value upon our children — and that might just begin with some love in a bag! They are our future, and at Heirs, we believe it can be a bright one. Thank you for believing it too.
Heirs is a commendable new organisation that emerged from the recognition of children’s suffering during the first national lockdown in 2020. Established by a local mother with support from her church, this small but impactful initiative relies on modest grants to provide essential supplies and emotional support to children entering care. Heirs exemplifies how even the smallest charities can create meaningful change. As they continue to grow and seek charity status, they have a vision to expand across Wales and the UK as they continue to profoundly affect vulnerable young lives.
Latest Project Updates
November 2024
Granted £2,500
After employees at the John Good Group voted for their favourite causes, Heirs received a grant of £2,500.
October 2024
Grants for Good Finalist
Heirs has become one of the top five finalists in the latest Grants for Good round, and will receive a grant between £2000 and £5000 after employees at the John Good Group have voted on their favourite causes.